TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MENA WEEKLY STAR DECEMBER 5, 1918 P 3
I am feeling fine this morning, as it is the first time I have had a chance to wash my face in five days. Have not had a bath in a month. German prisoners say that their best men are confronting the Americans and were instructed not to let the Americans advance, but they are advancing and will continue to do so. You said Frank was coming over here. Tell him that he will have to go right back because we have them whipped. The Boche know how to handle machine guns but they don’t like the bayonet—have not seen one yet that I would not be willing to fight with the bayonet just for pastime. The American artillery has opened up. Hope the concussion will quit putting this candle out. Now the Germans are replying. I am not scared but just to be cautious will wear my steel derby.
NOTES: This partial letter was written from France before the armistice by Hal Lewis Norwood Jr. to his parents Hal L. and Kate Norwood in Mena. He was born on March 10, 1883 in Lockesburg, Sevier County, Arkansas and died on April 6, 1935 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried in the Rosewood Memorial Park, in Little Rock. His draft registration from Little Rock list him as a private in the infantry. He was serving Company B., 140th Engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
I am feeling fine this morning, as it is the first time I have had a chance to wash my face in five days. Have not had a bath in a month. German prisoners say that their best men are confronting the Americans and were instructed not to let the Americans advance, but they are advancing and will continue to do so. You said Frank was coming over here. Tell him that he will have to go right back because we have them whipped. The Boche know how to handle machine guns but they don’t like the bayonet—have not seen one yet that I would not be willing to fight with the bayonet just for pastime. The American artillery has opened up. Hope the concussion will quit putting this candle out. Now the Germans are replying. I am not scared but just to be cautious will wear my steel derby.
NOTES: This partial letter was written from France before the armistice by Hal Lewis Norwood Jr. to his parents Hal L. and Kate Norwood in Mena. He was born on March 10, 1883 in Lockesburg, Sevier County, Arkansas and died on April 6, 1935 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried in the Rosewood Memorial Park, in Little Rock. His draft registration from Little Rock list him as a private in the infantry. He was serving Company B., 140th Engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT